Oct. 6,
2017 – Two new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with two plugs each are
now open and available for EV drivers at Freedom Park in Edwards and at the
Town of Eagle’s Park & Ride lot on West Chambers Avenue. Both stations are
available 24/7.

The new Freedom
Park and Eagle Park & Ride stations bring the total number of public places
to charge EVs in the Eagle Valley to 23 according to www.plugshare.com, which provides directions to and
information on charging stations worldwide.

The
installation of the new charging station is intended to accelerate the adoption
of electric vehicles along the I-70 and U.S. Hwy 6 corridors and to reduce “range
anxiety” for EV drivers.

“The newer
EVs are zippy and fun to drive, have an extended battery range of up to 400
miles and cost less than $1.50 to charge for a standard commute in the valley,”
said County Environmental Manager John Gitchell. “EVs are affordable and with zero tailpipe
emissions, they help keep our air cleaner in Eagle County.”

Installing
EV charging stations at transit centers and central parking areas supports the growing
cohort of EV drivers. A recent EV purchasing promotion led by Clean Energy
Economy for the Region, or CLEER, resulted in 42 new EV sales over the summer.

The total
cost per station installation was $12,000, with about half of that coming back
to the county as reimbursement from State of Colorado grant funds. On average,
it takes five hours to fully charge an EV at a public station or up to 10 hours
at home, depending on battery size and power supply.

The
county’s newly created Sustainable Communities Department, which is tasked with
implementing the Climate Action Plan for the Eagle County Community, also plans
to install a Level 3 “fast charge” station in 2018 that will allow EV drivers
to charge their vehicles in approximately 20 minutes.

For more
information on the new EV charging stations or other county sustainability
projects, contact Gitchell at 970-328-8766 or at john.gitchell@eaglecounty.us.